Part 2 Isn't A Sequel, It's A Second Act

I watched Dune 2 on opening night time on a whim. It wasn’t even in point of fact my concept, however after a protracted day of watching our respective laptops and tearing our hair out, my spouse steered we decompress by means of catching the hotly expected sequel in a close-by cinema. It was once most effective once I’d sat down and the film had began that I realised I didn’t keep in mind a unmarried factor in regards to the film immediately previous it.

That’s an exaggeration, however no longer by means of a lot. I knew the basis, and who Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya had been intended to be. The instant Rebecca Ferguson got here on display, I started volleying questions at my spouse, who needed to whisper the whole lot of Dune’s lore in my ear in real-time. Who’s that? His mother? Why is she there, I believed she died? Oh, she escaped, I forgot. Is she an area witch too? Sure? Wait, Stellan Skarsgaard is on this? Wait, Dave Bautista is on this? What does the bizarre field Lea Seydoux is the usage of on Austin Butler do once more? Why does everyone need spice so unhealthy?

I promise the remainder of my row was once empty and I attempted to be as quiet as imaginable with the intention to no longer annoy fellow moviegoers. I’ve manners.

READ The Uncharted 2 Movie Script Is Already Written

Section Of A Tale, However No longer A Tale In Itself

The explanation that I used to be completely misplaced with out issues being defined to me the entire means is similar explanation why I haven’t been in a position to price the film – the movie is a part of a bigger arc, and it feels that means. The primary Dune was once in large part used to set the level for the warfare that may occur later within the collection, and established the characters and communities featured within the tale. Dune: Section 2 doesn’t provide you with a recap, and as a substitute merely begins its 3 hour adventure as should you’ve simply completed staring at the film sooner than it. The movie feels much less like a sequel than a 2nd act, albeit an excessively lengthy one. It’s tough to offer it a ranking as a standalone movie, as it doesn’t really feel like one, and it’s additionally onerous for me to come to a decision how I think about it with out seeing it within the context of the only sooner than it and Dune: Messiah, the movie that may spherical out the trilogy.

Is that this a little bit stressful, as any person who didn’t in point of fact wish to watch a two and a part hour film to remind myself what had already came about? Sure. Will have to I’ve a minimum of learn a recap to keep away from this confusion? Additionally sure. However I in fact like that the movie is this fashion.

READ Best Star Wars Funko Pop! Figures In 2024

The Cushy Reboot

With the upward push of IP franchises and cinematic universes, the whole thing is related to one thing else or a part of a sequence. If you have interaction a unmarried piece of media in a franchise’s universe, there’s consistent drive to interact with the remainder of it. That’s why the creators of those collection attempt to place each and every new installment as a possible access level for freshmen, even if they aren’t in point of fact access issues – a brand new fan way extra engagement with different video games, films, and TV displays.

Wonder makes spin-off films and collection for just about all its characters with their very own arcs, however they all the time tie in to one another and check with previous occasions. The Boys had a spin-off, Gen V, during which characters, companies and occasions you recognise are referenced with regularity, however it’s nonetheless situated as a separate display. In gaming, Ultimate Delusion 7 Rebirth is no longer a just right beginning position for FF rookies, even if its producer tells you otherwise. Dragon’s Dogma 2 made its protagonist an amnesiac so freshmen wouldn’t really feel intimidated by means of its lore.

READ The War Of The Rohirrim Isn't The New Rings Of Power

A large number of instances, this can be a means of soppy rebooting a franchise to make it out there to other folks unfamiliar with the lore. That is superb, when the brand new factor is in fact a standalone, like Mad Max: Fury Street, or to a point, Blade Runner 2049. However numerous the time, the ‘standalone sequel’ isn’t that in any respect, it’s simply advertised that means.

I like that Dune 2 doesn’t trouble pretending that it’s an access level, and it doesn’t cling your hand thru a recap of what the primary film already informed you. It’s merely the second one act of a 9 hour film disguised as a trilogy, and that’s beautiful unwell. At this level, making an attempt to pass judgement on the collection’ high quality is like staring at two thirds of a film and punching in a ranking, and I think just like the collection must be watched in its entirety to in point of fact comprehend it. I vow to do this sooner than I watch Dune: Messiah, on every occasion it comes out.